Arsenal vs. Everton

Arsenal v. Everton

Finally we're back to the good stuff after another redundant international week. Arsenal limped into the break, and now they are crawling on the ground barely making it into the game Saturday with a 16 man squad. The international friendlies had a devastating effect on a majority of the Premier League teams, but Arsenal surely came off the worst.

Vital Quotes:

Arsene talked about how he assumes he is going to lose players after each break. 'Before they go I know statistically you lose a player.

'So I am not frustrated because I know that is part of the game when they go on international duty.

'The only thing I believe is that it is a new start and that is the real start of the season because there is now no real interruptions anymore.'

Wenger is assured his team will bounce back from their current form. "I believe that this is a new start," he said. "In fact it is the real start of the season because there is now no interruptions anymore. It looks like to me there is a new championship starting."

"I think if you ask me how many games I think we can lose I would say zero," said the Frenchman. "I always start a season thinking you cannot lose a game, but we have lost two already and we are in a position where we have given ourselves a handicap.

I still think it is manageable to get back to the top. I know that there is not a lot of margin of error left but I still think we can do that."

According to Phil Jagielka, his side is looking to turn their season around too. "It`s 11 players against 11 players," said Jagielka. "We`re not like a young team that`s only just gone into the Premier League. We`ll know how to go about that game - the gaffer will have his tactics.

"We`ve got some fantastic players, some international players, some players that should be internationals in our team and I`m sure we`ll go down there and hopefully enjoy ourselves."

Arsenal Team News:

Where to start.....hmmm, well first off Gallas, Sagna, Djourou, and Bendtner are definitely out. Walcott will be rested, but Cesc and Robin will be ready to go despite both picking up injuries for their countries. Vela will not be ready to start, from his long trip back to England, but he will surely get his chance from the bench.

Unless Mikael Silvestre wrecks his car on his way to the Emirates Saturday, the former Manchester United man will make his first appearance for Arsenal. I've said it before and I'll say it again, it will no doubt be a strange feeling seeing him in the red and white of North London.

Some good news is that Abou Diaby will be back for the first time this season. The lanky Frenchman will probably not start, but Wenger assured us that he will feature at some point.

Player to watch: Mikael Silvestre

Many people questioned Wenger's motives in bringing Mikael to Arsenal, but this is the exact situation that Arsene recruited him for. Wenger might of made some mistakes so far this year but this is a decision he got spot on.

After a impressive preformance in the reserves last week, I am sure that Silvestre will slot perfectly into the defense and make Arsene proud.

Everton Team News:

It's not only Arsenal that has the injury crisis in this match, as Everton have a sizable list as well. Lee Osman has a groin strain while Phil Neville, Segundo Castillo, and Anichebe have hamstring problems. Jagielka and Joseph Yobo are doubtful with the flu, and Tim Cahill is banned for his red card in the Merseyside derby.

Player to watch: Marouane Fellaini

Fellaini impressed scouts everywhere with his preformance against Liverpool in the Champions League qualifiers, and Everton were quick to snap him up. Having stared already in the Barclays Premier League, he will pose a problem for Arsenal's mixed up defense.

Match Facts & Stats

Robin van Persie is two goals shy of 50 for Arsenal. He usually scores in pairs so who's to say he doesn't reach the half century on Saturday.

Silvestre will be making his 250th Premier League appearance, and we all know who the last 249 were for. It will be interesting to see if Arsenal pays him any sort of tribute for this magnificent achievement, no matter what team it was for. Hopefully we do the classy thing, and recognizes this milestone.

Ref Watch:

Peter Walton is the head official. He has managed three EPL games this year handing out 7 yellows and 1 red.

Match Prediction:

Not sure what to think about this, I don't think we will lose though. I could see us winning by a 2 or 3 goal margin, but I can also see it being a hard fought 1-1 stalemate. I'll go with the positive result, 3-1 to the Arsenal. Adebayor to continue his good form from Togo and van Persie to grab a double, to make it 50 Arsenal goals for the young Dutchman. Lescott to score off a corner or set piece for Everton.

Your Comments (oldest first)

With Walcott likely to be dropped to the bench or possibly rested completely then I would like to see either Wilshire or Ramsey come into the side. I would probably play:- Almunia, Eboue, Toure, Silvestre, Clichy; Wilshire, Song, Fabregas, Nasri; RVP, Adebayor

@ Sindbad: what with the Jekyll and Hyde type comments?
Agree with above team selection except for a wilshire start. Any chance we might see Amaury Bischoff? is he fit enough to play on the right with Nasri switch to Left midfield.

I agree with Brice that we could go 2/3 goals up or fight hard for a draw. 2-0 but all I want is 3 points, preferably without scaring us too much. If Arsene uses Eboue at RB, resting Theo at the same time, I guess it'll be a weird-looking midfield combo with Denilson out wide or something. I'm still very keen to see either him or Song put in some brilliant performances to own the DM spot...

I doubt we will see a 433/451 today Tom, in the future away possibly, but not at home, but I do agree with the personnel you suggest to play though. As i have stated above I want to see Wilshire play at RM not Denilson. IMO That will then be another case of Square pegs and Round holes but you guys may think differently to me! If need be, Nasri and Wilshire can easily swap wings and with their creativity as well as Cesc's we should carve Everton apart!

Yeah Tomf I'd really love to see Ramsey too. Not sure how ready he is for "physical" teams like Everton though. I personally think he's worth a spot in the team in these circumstances and I'm confident that the boy will do a job. But for the same reason, I'm guessing Jack might only act as a sub at most.

like GK I can see us winning 3-0, but I wouldn't be shocked if we drew either. I reckon this is Nasri's kind of game though, and hopefully Cesc can start really pulling the strings again. I can't wait untill those two get some sustained form going!

Almunia; Toure Song Silvestre Clichy; Eboue Denilson Cesc Nasri; van Persie Adebayor. Of course Eboue could be at RB with Song at DM and Den on the wing but I would use that team. No 433 please (RvP and Nas on the wings)

A bit surprised to see Song at RB but it allows everyone else to play in their natural position which is good. Silvestre's looking eager to impress. It's a matter of getting our passing game going now.

erm...considering Toure has had a shocker today and Silvestre - Gallas have never lost as France's starting pair, I think you are wrong. maybe he plays pool alongside Toure because gallas does more work?

Why has Wenger put Song at Right Back??! Square pegs in round holes AGAIN! He was at fault for the goal. Very poor positioning and very lazy in the process, which i'm very disappointed in him. I hate to say it but Song off, Eboue to RB and Walcott on

I cant blame Song for the goal because its not his fault he is playing at a position that he is not accustomed too. By the way Silvestre has been magnificent. Does anybody know if he was honored for his 250th EPL appearance before the game?

Nah Rob I didn't think the Silvestre signing was crazy. Bottomline: if we had injury problems like we have today, do you want Senderos or him? :) I also know how you feel about the spirit thing, but I do admire Cesc, Samir, Silvestre and in fact Booboo for working hard and keeping their heads up. I think RvP and Ade aren't bad either, but they're more of a form issue I'm afraid. Theo looks eager to impress so far, the team's looking more balanced.

I know what you mean Lou and I'm normally a massive RvP fan, but form issue or not, he just really hasn't seemed to care this season. Even if he does, he seems physically lazy, if you know what I mean. Ade has worked hard, but at the moment seems to have no composure. Yeah though like you say Nasri, Fabregas, Toure Clichy, Theo and Eboue really have fought hard. Silvestre's professionalism is a great asset though.

GK I actually did the same thing! My dad just came home, saw 1-1 and said, "You guys drop points again?" I almost yelled at him, "A game is 90 mins dad!!! How can you say we drop points after 60? By your logic we might as well give the trophy to CHelsea?!?! We WILL turn it around and score one more!!" He gave me a face for my over-reaction (blush)... But I was right..

Yeah GK did you also see how Arsene's face changed lol.. Such a painful but eventually beautiful game. I was literally sweating! Now I'll sit back and watch ManU with dad, I promise I won't laugh if ManU concede first lol. And do you guys notice the incredible change in Theo? He's looking so so confident! :) Yeah I really hope Kolo and Samir are ok... sigh, we've got Diaby back, another 2 out..

I agree with Tomf on Silvestre. RvP just seems to be trying too hard to me, his form is not there yet. Yes Ade tried hard but he should be much much more careful. He could have received 2 yellows - 2nd being his push on a defender that led to a ball to RvP who got pulled down in the box. Ade's looked like a yellow card to me, RvP should have earned a penalty. But I haven't watched a clear enough replay yet.

Phew! When listening to the 1st Half, I just couldn't believe what I was hearing, it sounded like we were just not up for it. Then we went down a goal, my head was in my hands.
Then the 2nd Half The Real Arsenal, took to the pitch, and on came Theo and we won 3:1!
I just love The Arsenal!!!

I dont agree with what some of you said. I was at the game and RVP was brilliant today. He got in to great positions, created chances, made great runs, dropped deep, held the ball up and interlinked with the team very well. Adebayor on the other hand looked lazy today. He had his hands on the his hips for much of the game, ketp being drawn out to the left and just staying there. The ball didnt stick to him and he didnt win one flick on against lescott. To top it all of he looked like he dived to get a penalty and was rightly booked. Nasri, Clichy were brilliant, Denilson was good, Silvestre won most headers and looked assured. Cesc had an off day.

GK, I think I wasn't bad today either.. As I promised, I did not laugh or gloat when ManU kept attacking but failed to score. It's 0-0 at half time, dad (MU fan) moaned again, "We MUST win this game, against a promoted team, after all the other Big 4 teams won their games with lots of goals. We just CAN'T afford to drop points. This is just not good enough if we're to try and win the league." etc etc. I had to repeat "It's a 90-min game, dad... They look dangerous, they'll score. Rooney's on fire, I can already tell you now he'll score soon in the 2nd half cos he's the only one who can change the game for you, then the likes of Ronaldo and Berba will add to the scoreline when things become easier. I guarantee you they'll keep scoring to not just gain points but improve their goal difference. Don't worry dad." Shrek obliged. Then Ronaldo and Berba, and the bonus Nani. I should have put some money on it!

PO I agree with you. I fealt that Van the man was extremely good today, Adebayor gave another poor performance. Cesc problem was that after playing with such talent in Spain adjusting was difficult this was obvious with a number of through passes he made but none of his team mates could anticipate the pass. I think we should have training sessions on shooting and defending set pieces.

I knew this would be a crappy day when both Wigan and Everton went up against youse and Liverpool respectively and I was right! This isnt the first time that has happened so in the end I wasn't really surprised but great comeback. At least you didnt need a red cards to do your damage! Adebayor has really lost something about him btw, he seems less confident on the ball. Really surprising after the season he just had last year

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